DRUG FREE POSTER CONTEST

Contest History

This national calendar project is designed to involve children from kindergarten through high school and Seniors in a joint effort to educate the nation's youth on the dangers of substance abuse. The contest is sponsored by AHMAs throughout the United States and the National Affordable Housing Management Association. With the support of the U.S. Department of HUD and USDA Rural Housing Services, the scope of the competition has increased dramatically, along with the number of calendars distributed to residents of affordable housing, thereby exposing at-risk children to positive role models and drug-free messages.

More than 800 contest hopefuls from the Southeast participated last year, this year's competition is sure to be even larger, so start planning your property's participation now! The poster art contest is an activity that supports a worthwhile cause, and goes a long way toward maintaining a positive public perception of your property, both by your residents and your community.

If you have not participated before, feel free to contact the SAHMA office with your questions. If your property is a previous participant, work to increase the number of children involved so that the message reaches everyone this year!

Prize Structure

Every participant in the contest receives a prize from SAHMA. Be sure to submit EVERY poster/art submission from your property to the state contest, even if you have a property-wide judging! Only participants whose art is submitted to the state contest receive participant prizes! State and national prizes are also available.

HOW TO BEGIN

1. Read through the official rules so you know what to expect.
2. Set up a committee of employees and residents to help oversee the contest.
3. Solicit local businesses for donations of poster board, crayons, markers and colored pencils; small prizes for all contestants or large prizes for the overall property winners in each age group; refreshments to be handed out during the contest, etc.
4. Schedule practice sessions for children to develop their ideas using butcher block paper. Use general ideas and themes until the official contest theme has been announced.
5. Contact local media to ask if they will cover the contest and announce the winners.
6. If you plan on having a property-wide contest, contact people who might serve as judges: high school or college art teachers; local HUD officials; police officers; city or county council members; local radio or newspaper celebrities; photographers, or graphic artists. Do not use poster/art committee members or employees to judge the contest.

Email Betsy Smith or call 800-745-4088 to request an official application.

• Contest rules
• Name and Address of your State Poster Chairperson
• Promotional ideas
• Helpful hints for managers
• Entry forms

Submit ALL art submissions completed by your participants to your Drug-Free Poster Chairperson for the state-level contest.

PLEASE READ THE RULES PACKAGE CAREFULLY. DON'T LET AN ENTRY BE DISQUALIFIED BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T FOLLOW THE RULES.

• Each site must order their own participation package.
• To be eligible, sites must be managed or owned by a SAHMA member company.